Chapter 56: Identity

“Where are you going?”
Bai Yanci drew a line—blocked her—transport array and gone. She reached—only caught a corner of robe.
Her lover weighed again—left her—ran toward danger alone.
Damn it—she cursed inside.
Thought stripping spiritual flame onto Bai Yanci would let her locate anytime.
In construction-built space—green-silk ring couldn’t fix position—phone no signal either.
She forced power—tried break the barrier—illusion didn’t move—no effect.
Like the tower phantom—trapped in construction barrier—without finding the array’s eye—never leave.
The Longevity Hall crystal held most consciousness—when that power returned she felt fuller than ever.
Even through construction’s barrier she sensed—Bai Yanci seemed heading toward Qixie.
But Bai Yanci had ties to the bureau chief—why run to Qixie?
She forced calm—Bai Yanci had rushed off after hearing her spirit went to antiquity.
Right eyelid jumped nonstop—very bad feeling.
Other Qixie people were nothing—but Jade Dust was great immortal with Spirit Tide jade pendant—not to underestimate.
At least she couldn’t let Bai Yanci face Jade Dust alone.
Bai Yanci broke the lab and took her—smashed equipment—Mu had left Jintian—wouldn’t trouble her soon.
Unless she broke construction—couldn’t reach Bai Yanci.
The War God had taught construction on the moon—said you must hold breath, imagine space extending—to find the eye.
Eyes closed—spiritual flame covered the whole illusion—probed to the edge—found where power pooled strongest.
She ran there—the guardian artifact was the Spirit Tide jade pendant!
Not phantom—the true body.
No wonder the illusion was so firm—with such an artifact this prison was built for her.
Bad feeling worse—no time to think—forced Spirit Tide Pearl power—used resonance between the two artifacts—tore a crack.
Out—she stood in her apartment.
Days Mu’s prison, then the illusion—phone signal at last—notifications stacked.
Top message Jiang Ran—ten minutes ago: Team leader, Yang Yufei attacking bureau with people. I sent our people on my own. Qingzhu and I going too.
Half hour earlier—Mu’s message: Didn’t know you knew immortals. Don’t worry—we’ll meet again.
Heart sank—no time for more—ran toward the fix on the ring.
Fix moved—Bai Yanci left Qixie—went to the bureau.
Faster. Faster.
One step late—irreversible—she’d never forgive herself.
At the bureau—a barrier already laid.
Inside—bureau and Qixie fighting—Yang Yufei herself in it—pendant phantom nearly crushed bureau ability users.
A man in high bureau uniform shouted: “Yang Yufei—you traitor—Director Mu trusted you!”
“Well, well—Director Mu’s little dog.” Yang Yufei sneered. “Say what you like. Your Director Mu ran long ago—doesn’t care if you lowlives live or die.”
“Don’t slander Director Mu!”
“Pathetically stupid.” Yang Yufei mocked. “Open your eyes—her close aide isn’t here—ran with her, what else? When did she care if you die?”
The man scanned chaos—no Liu-ge.
Liu-ge was Mu’s trusted man—crisis this big and gone with Mu.
Face went white—still insisted: “Director Mu has more important business—traitor, stop stirring trouble!”
Yang Yufei wouldn’t argue: “Lord Jade Dust gave me supreme power—from now on you’re only fit to be stepped on!”
---
When Yi Ke moved to act—a familiar voice behind: “Why are you here?”
Jade Dust’s voice—she stopped—stepped back: “You can come—why can’t I?”
Bai Yanci’s fix was here—but she couldn’t see white anywhere.
Qixie had overwhelming advantage—bureau couldn’t fight back.
She hated the bureau—but these people were Mu’s fooled pawns—she didn’t want more dead—meant to help, seize the pendant phantom.
Jade Dust wouldn’t allow—blocked her.
Through the mask she couldn’t read expression—but grievance, unwillingness, even helplessness came off the person.
“Why do this? The bureau doesn’t have the flame you want.” She asked. “What did they do to drive you to the edge?”
Jade Dust silent. She went on: “At the Sun-Moon Cup opening you stopped Yang Yufei—said you didn’t want casualties. Why? Tell me why!”
Said—it was unreasonable—not interrogation.
Standing as SI leader—Jade Dust built Qixie, harmed life—enemy of SI and bureau both.
Maybe Jade Dust’s special treatment had fooled her a little.
Jade Dust flat: “Team Leader Yi, I owe you no motive. One thing puzzles me.”
Under her puzzled gaze: “Mu imprisoned you these days—don’t you hate her? I came to purge—you’re not pleased—you’d save them instead.”
“My business isn’t your lecture.”
She tried summon Qiyang Sword—not on her. No time—bare hands at Jade Dust.
Jade Dust dodged every move elegant—as if knowing the future: “Team Leader Yi, I advise you not to interfere.”
“If I insist?”
With consciousness restored she gathered divine power—struck fast at Jade Dust.
Jade Dust didn’t dodge in time—forced back—barely took the blow.
Her power now—far above a great immortal.
“My Lord!” Yang Yufei cried.
Blood at Jade Dust’s lip—mask cracked a corner—eyes on her word by word: “Team Leader Yi—last time I ask—will you oppose me?”
She walked toward Jade Dust step by step: “Selfish conduct—disgusting.”
Jade Dust sneered—raised the Spirit Tide jade pendant.
She was ready—barrier up—but her power was locked tight—like those prison days.
Damn—Jade Dust had means to bind her too!
“Team Leader Yi—you still can’t win me.” That blow was heavy—Jade Dust stood slow, held chest, ordered: “Seize her. Who hurts her—dies for it.”
Qixie turned blades on her—ordinary human now.
After a fight—strength gone—she lost.
Last conscious sight—Jade Dust looking down: “Take her back. Our people—withdraw.”
Woke in a holding cell.
Qixie’s cell dark and damp—worse than SI’s.
Tried—power still suppressed—couldn’t even draw transport.
Jade Dust’s true identity—she’d guessed.
Couldn’t believe—wouldn’t believe.
“Well, well—you’re awake?” Yang Yufei first visitor. “Team Leader Yi—how’s being a prisoner taste?”
“Where’s Jade Dust? I need to see her.”
“How dare you! Lord Jade Dust isn’t someone you summon!”
She stood. Again: “Where’s Jade Dust? Tell her—I need to see her now!”
Yang Yufei wanted more—but footsteps from far—turned respectful: “Lord Jade Dust—per your order—inhibitor injected.”
“Well done.”
Familiar voice—blood ran backward. Guessed—but fact before her—unbearable.
The more she didn’t want to think—the voice in her chest screamed—almost broke last defense.
Followed the sound—instant their eyes met—blood seemed to freeze.
“So you found out.”
Jade Dust still in red—but silver mask off—stepped from shadow into light—Bai Yanci’s devastatingly beautiful face.
She searched Bai Yanci’s face for the vivid expressions of before—for regret or guilt—found none—not even love.
Bai Yanci flat: “Formal introduction. I am Bai Yanci, courtesy name Yuchen—you may also call me Lord Jade Dust.”
Heart dropped to the pit. She’d guessed—still asked with last hope: “From the start—you never lost your power, did you?”